IDENTIFICATION (with reason) OF Madrepora sp. (B.Sc. ZOOLOGY_CCF-CC5_SEM4)

   Identifying features are:

1. Multicellular heterotroph.
2. embryonic development, preceded by heterogametic fertilization.

            Hence, the specimen belongs to the Kingdom Animalia.

1. Soft-bodied, polymorphic mesozoa with radial and biradial symmetry.
2. Ectoderm & endoderm separated by a noncellular mesoglea.
3. Single gastrovascular cavity.
4. Polypoid zooids which possess single body cavity,the coelenteron, with a solitary mouth.
5. Mouth is guarded by a circlet of tentacles.
6. Outer body wall possesses numerous cnidoblasts (or cnidocytes).

                  Hence, the specimen belongs to the Phylum Cnidaria.

1. Only polypoid forms are present.
2. Stomodaeum is present with a pair of siphonoglyphs.
3. Pharynx is a hanging tube inside gastrovascular cavity.
4. Marginal tentacles around mouth.
5. Mesoglea acts as connective tissue.
6. Presence of mesentries.

            Hence, the specimen belongs to the Class Anthozoa.

1. Tentacles are numerous, simple ,branched & hollow.
2. Mesentries may be complete or incomplete.
3. Tentacles & mesentries are in hexamerous cycles.
4. Usually with two siphonoglyphs.

              Hence, the specimen belongs to the Sub Class Hexacorallia.

1. Coenenchyma is tree like, branched ,colonial form.
2. Small polyps, lodged in cylindrical cups or porous corallites, separated by perforated coenosteum.
3. Terminal & lateral polyps bear 6 & 12 tentacles respectively.
4. Polyps are flowerlike.
5. Gullet short & devoid of siphonoglyphs.

            Hence, the specimen seems to be Madrepora sp.

Systematic Position (Ruppert & Barnes 1994)

 Kingdom: Animalia

   Phylum: Cnidaria

     Class: Anthozoa

         SubClass: Hexacorallia

            Genus: Madrepora